Roofing or surfacing material



June 4, 1935. 5 EASON 2,003,503

ROOFING OR SURFACING MATERIAL Filed Aug. 1, 1935 4- Sheets-Sheet 1 O 33 s'z 35d, 261: KW A 17 m V A/\ W AM? attormgy June 4, 1935. s EASON I 2,003,503-

ROOFING OR SURFACING MATERIAL Filed Aug. 1, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 4, 1935. s EASON 2,003,503

ROOFING OR SURFACING MATERIAL Filed Aug. 1, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a roofing or surfacing of new structure, function and result, both as to the product itself and the method of preparing and applying the same.

The principles of my invention apply to both the flexible roll type and the rigid sheet type of roofing or surfacing materials.

Roll roofing is usually made of a variety of materials such as rag felt, fibre and composition, saturated with asphalt, tar, and the like, and may be either smooth-top or surfaced with slate, mica, sand or other granules.

Such roofing is seldom water-tight at the seams, laps and joints. fhese frequently represent from 8% to 10% of the total area and constitute definite zones of weakness and non-watertightness in that the nails work out under the attraction of the sun, Water enters the nail holes and causes the roofing material to crack and rot in the vicinity thereof, and wind gets under the seams and laps and causes the roofing material to lift, crack, split and otherwise become weakened at. all such joints. The movement of body of roofing also hinges at seams resulting in cracking at seam lines due to continuous working which centers at such points. Further, acid fumes or gases, in

many localities, attack and destroy exposed nail heads.

Rigid sheet roofing such as the corrugated metal type, and pressed sheets, sometimes called channel drain, and also corrugated sheets frequently made of composition materials usually including asbestos, are open to the same objection as roll roofing in respect to leaky laps, seams and joints, the drawing out of nails, and the tendency of the sheets to lift or separate at the joints.

To the end .therefore of avoiding these objections to such standard roofing and surfacing materials now commonly used I have devised my sheathing is laid and cemented permanently inplace as a seam reinforcement and protection.

The physical strength inherent in the reinforcing flap itself plus the holding-down strength of the cementing substance is distributed over a vastly greater area than that occupied by the nails, and thus offers the maximum resistance to the tendency of the wind to lift and crack the seams as no open edge is exposed, as well as to the drawing-out action of the nails under roof movement and under the attraction of the sun. Further the nails are completely covered and protected from direct exposure.

Seams, laps and joints thus reinforced in accordance with my invention are actually stronger than the unseamed areas of the roofing or surfacing material. More than this, such seams, laps and joints are watertight whereas with roofing or surfacing material not so reinforced, the from 8% to 10% area occupied by such seams, laps and joints is not watertight.

The flexible reinforcing fiap or flaps may be made of any material which is both readily penetrable by nails and capable of being cemented down or held down by the stay-put ability of the material used in flap or by mechanical means. Preferably, I use a fibrous material, as cotton, felt, canvas,'burlap, or the like. I may use composition materials either with or without the addition of fire-proofing or waterproofing ingredients, or metal ormetal backed with fabric or wire gauze, the primary requirement being that the fiap material be not so expensive as to prohibit its use in the cheaper grades of roofing while at the same time being sufficiently strong, durable and watertight to accomplish the results intended.

Preferably the flap material is fully flexible so that-it will conform to the contour of the roof, seams and nail heads and/or roofing caps over which it is cemented, As illustrative of a flap material which admirably answers these several requirements and also possesses weathering qualities, when coated, substantially equivalent to those of the roofing or surfacing mate-'- rial to which it is applied, I mention asphalt saturated cotton fabric.

Similarly any suitable cement may be employed, as hot asphalt, hottar, or emulsions of asphaltic or bituminous origin. Preferably I use any of the standard asphalt emulsions that will not flow under roof heat now on the market, as these are readily adapted to the open-weave asphalt saturated cotton fabric of the flap and can be used cold, and double coated if desired without the necessity of waiting for the under coat to dry.

Where the roofing material is a very thin flexible copper or other metallic sheet sometimes backed with an asphalt-saturated fabric which is so firmly attached thereto as practically to be integral therewith, I may if desired have the flap of the same material as thebody of the sheet, i. e. if the sheet is a combination of copthe application of cement in the field. If sufficiently, rigid to stay-put after it has been folded over the seam, joint or other lapping area of the roofing, cementing need not be resorted to. For applications where additional security is wanted however, I have however devised an extremely simple but effective method of fastening the lower edge of such flap, as will be explained hereinafter.

Regardless, however, of the material used in either the body portion or the flap element of the surfacing, my invention provides a strong, durable and weather-tight reinforcement in all seaming, jointing or lapping areas which is applicable to any standard type of roofing or surfacing material without radical departure from accepted practice in so far as applying or expense of applying the material to the roof or other surface is concerned.

For example, in the case of ordinary roll roofing the procedure commonly followed is to ship with each roll of roofing a can of liquid cementing material. Such cement is generally spread between the two layers of roofing at all joints. It is also sometimes painted over the nail heads and/or the roofing caps which are used under the nail heads.

In laying my new material, I follow this common practice, with however this difference. The liquid cement ordinarily used is simply a thin film of no physical strength and consequently is ineffective to create any factor of reinforcement or lasting watertightness at the seams, laps, or joints. Moreover such cement has to be applied either as a separate treatment in laying the roofing and even so such practice does not offset early repairs nor eliminate the objections as to leaky and weak joints.

With my invention, however, and where cement is used to seal down the reinforcement flap or flaps, the cement itself is not relied upon to reinforce the seam, but instead such reinforcement factor is 'the inherent physical strength of the flaps themselves. which flaps afford a strong and permanent fabric-to-fabric seal in all overlapping, seaming or jointing areas, this seal being simply augmented by the sealing and holding down action of the cement, where used.

The result is a watertight seam and seam reinforcement wherein the nails and nail holes are effectively covered and protected and the entire seam permanently anchored against windage, movement and cracking.

Although I use a fabric flap for the seam reinforcement, my invention is to be distinguished from the roofing method wherein loose stripp ng fabric might be supplied with each roll of roofing material, such stripping being applied in the field as a separate after-operation as is now frequently done as an item of early repair. While feasible for the end seams which are only thirty-four inches in length, after-stripping is awkward and expensive for the side seams which may be hundreds of feet long. The reason for this is that, in order to neatly after-strip these longitudinal seams, the greatest of care may be used, and even where meticulous care is taken, it is almost impossible to avoid irregularity of stripped joints and wave-like application, besides carrying out as a separate after-operation the cementing of the stripping which involves added expense as to additional material and labor.

Apart from this very practical objection, afterstripping does not provide seam reinforcement in the areas where the seams have been punctured by the nails. Also, after-stripping requires the use of stripping material of greater width, and also the use of more cement than is needed by my method.

After-stripping ordinary roll-roofing is simply a make-shift remedy for overcoming an existing defect which defect is eliminated ab initio by my new type roll roofing.

Nor is my present invention to be confused with certain expedients of the prior are which in so far as I am aware have never been marketed commercially or followed by practical workers in the roofing industry.

One of these is to apply to the seaming or jointing areas of sheet roofing a band of normally adhesive material, and to attach to the sheet adjacent this adhesive band a foldable protective strip which normally overlies and covers the band but is adapted to be unfolded to expose the same for adhesive contact with an overlapping sheet. Alternatively a face of the strip itself is impregnated with a cementing or packing substance so that such face and the adhesively coated band of the sheet are both exposed for adhesive contact with an overlapping sheet.

In either instance, the adhesive with which the sheet or the strip or both is impregnated is depended upon to act as a cementing or packing substance between overlapped sheets to render the joint waterproof, thus obviating the necessity for using the liquid lap cement so generally used in the industry.

If, however, the adhesive does not have sufiicient strength to hold the sheet or sheets down against windage, movement, expansion and contraction, such a flap is worse than useless. On the other hand, if the adhesive possesses sufficient lasting tackiness to do this, it will likewise be so tightly adhered in the roll as not to allow the foldable flap to be readily opened in order to expose the adhesive, particularly if the sheet has been stored in nonair-tight rolls for a considerable length of time.

This is particularly true where the adhesive flap is nailed through both seam layers, in which event the efficacy of the packing substance between laps is destroyed by the nail holes, which are not covered bythe flaps, but instead actually tend to pocket the water at such nail holes, especially when nails work upwards.

If only the upper margin of the bottom sheet is nailed and the top sheet not nailed, experience has shown that the step of top sheet nailing cannot be eliminated merely by sticking the lower margin of the top sheet to the upper margin of the bottom sheet, since such a joint is not sufficiently secure or lasting to resist the action of the elements, even if asphalt applied hot be used, and particularly for standard 36 inch wide sheets.

Another expedient of the prior art wh ch has never proved practicable has been to form'the marginal edges of the sheet itself during process of manufacture of the sheet as receiving and inserting flaps, adapted respectively to tongue and groove with the similarly formed fiaps on adjacent sheets. One objection to the integral flap is that any composition sheet such as saturated felts, useful and common as a roofing sheet is inherently brittle when permanently or repeatedly bent and hence if formed with flaps at its margins and these flaps turned over at upon themselves and subjected to windage and movement in such position, they will soon crack and detach themselves from the main body of the sheet. Further, neat rolls are not practical after bending such edges. Moreover, the plural layers resulting from the tongue and groove connection of adjacent sheets form welts of appreciable height at the seams. These spacethe roofing too high off the sheathing boards of the roof at such points and increase the tendency of the sheets to move in the wind as well as causing low spots paralleling the seams if any sagging takes place, as is especially likely to happen in following such application, and is most objectionable with slightly pitched roofs. I

Another very serious objection is the difficulty of applying such a roofing material to the roof. The fiapis pre-coated with adhesive, which tends to dry out and lose its effectiveness if the sheet is kept long in storage. The internally coated flap has to be held away from the main body of the sheet by means of a separator strip until ready for application, at which time the separator strip is withdrawn and the fiapopened up. In, applying the sheet to the roof, particularly at the eaves, substantially the entire area of the sheet is ofi the roof at the start while the relatively narrow receiving flap is being nailed down, such flap being first opened to expose its sticky margin, and the hammering of the nails being through such sticky margin. If at all windy, or on any steep pitched roof, this would be most difficult of performance. Even under the most favorable conditions the sheet must be applied opened downwards on the roof and would still have to be turned up and laid smooth, without sagging or wrinkles, and spot nailed at its upper margin to hold it in place while the next upper sheet was being positioned with its inserting flap in the receiving flap.

Moreover the nails penetrate three layers of the same material, the result being an objectionable concentration of thickness at the seams which does not contribute in any way to the reinforcement of the seams where punctured by nails.

The construction and manner of preparing and applying my new type roofing or surfacing is described and illustrated in the accompanying specification and drawings, and the characteristic features of novelty particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In such drawings, I have illustrated several optional embodiments of my invention, These are suggestive of the many variants possible and are in no way limiting.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing my new type roofing or surfacing as produced in conventional roll form, the material being provided with seam reinforcement and waterproofing fiaps at both longitudinal edges for double protection and being also provided with intermediate flaps at suitably spaced intervals transversely of its length to serve as convenient guides in cutting the web into sheets and to facilitate smooth laying and affording protective cover flaps for the transverse fiaps at the ends of the web.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectionalized view through a portion of a roof or other surface covered with'the double protection material shown in Fig. 1, the section being in exaggerated scale at the seam' or joint, and the view particularly emphasizing that the seam is reinforced for both the upper and lower courses where punctured by the nails.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 --4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the material provided with a seam reinforcement and waterproofing fiap at but one longitudinal edge for single protection only.

Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 3 through a seam or joint of the single protection material shown in Fig. 5 and particularly showing that the seam is reinforced on the lower course exaggerated in order clearly to illustrate them 1 and that actually the seams are only slightly raised above the plane of the roof.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are sections at a lap joint illustrating variants in seam reinforcement resulting from variously attaching the seam reinforcement and waterproofing fiap.

Figs. 11 to 15 are sections illustrating variants in seam reinforcement and waterproofing flap and positions of attachment thereof to the roofing or surfacing sheet. 7

Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate stillfurther variants in seam reinforcement. I

Fig. 18 is a longitudinal section through the end flaps of Figs. 1 and 5 particularly showing how such end flaps are bent over to also afford seam reinforcement.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary detail illustrating the attachment of a side fiap by stitching rather than cementing, as in Fig. 1.

Figs. 20 to 23 inclusive are views illustratin the application of my invention to metal or rigid sheets.

Figs. 24, and 26 illustrate methods devised by me for adapting the principles of my invention to the standard fiexible copper and fabric roofing material now on the market, Figs. 24 and 25 showing one method of accomplishing seam reinforcement in such type of material and Fig. 26'

showing a variant thereof. The same principle applies to flexible metal sheets without the fabric backing.

Referring first to Fig. 1 wherein I have illustrated my invention as applied to roofing or surfacing material of roll type, such material is designated generally in that figure by reference numeral 25.

Although dimensions are not critical, I might note that the length of a roll of roofing is usually thirty-six feet and the standard width is usually thirty-six inches. In the preferred embodiments of my invention, the seam reinforcement flaps or strips 26 which I attach to one or both side edges of the web of roll roofing normally lie within the margins of the web rather than protruding therebeyond. This is important in peakaging the roofing material for shipment, insuring as it does a neat roll which may be conveniently wrapped and shipped, with fiap protected.

As previously indicated, such flap is preferably an asphalt-saturated cotton fabric, although it may be of other materials, as will be more fully explained in connection with Figs. 24, 25 and 26.

Preferably also the flap or flaps 26 are permanently attached to the material 25 at the fac- Tory. This may be accomplished in any convenient manner. In Fig. l the flaps 26 are shown as attached by gluing along their outer edges, as indicated at 21 in that figure.

In Fig. 19 they are shown as attached by side edges of the material, as is shown in certain of the views particularly Figs. 11, 13 and 15, the flaps may be turned inwardly over the material 25 so as to be protected thereby when the material is rolled, wrapped and shipped.

Where the construction is as shown in Figs. 1 and 19, the outer margin or anchoring area 26 of the flap 26 for a distance of approximately two inches, if the over-all width of the flap is approximately four and a quarter inches, is permanently afiixed to the underlying face of the material 25 by the adhesive or stitches, and the inner margin or foldable area 26 thereof for a distance of approximately two and one quarter inches is free so that it may be turned over and cemented in place to reinforce and waterproof the seaming or jointing areas when the material is laid and nailed.

If desired, the material 25 itself may be provided adjacent one longitudinal margin with a. guide line 29 (Fig. 5) for the purpose of visually indicating to the roofer where to apply the cement when a joint or seam is made. This is helpful where the material 25 is equipped with only one flap 26 for single protection, as shown in Fig. 5. Where equipped with flaps 26 at both side margins for double protection as shown in Fig. 1, the line of fold 26 of the strip itself serves as a convenient guide line for the neat application of the cement.

While the location of the flap or flaps 26 on the upper face of the'material 25 is considered preferable for most applications, I recognize that it may be desirable in some instances to locate such flap or flaps on the under face of the material, and I have shown this flap or flaps so located in certain of the views, particularly Figs. 11 and 15.

Similarly, I recognize that for some applications, it may be desirable to use a flap or flaps of double thickness as illustrated in such views as Figs. 13 and 15.

It is not practicable, of course, to illustrate all of the many possible variations in arrangement and form, but the foregoing are sufficient to indicate the posibilities of the flexible flap.

Specifically, however, Fig. 1 shows flexible flaps 26 attached at each side edge of the material 25. These afford double protection when the joint is made: (See Fig. 3 and Fig. 7).

Fig. 5 shows a flexible flap attached to one side edge only of the material. This affords single protection only (see Fig. 6) and is recommended for the cheaper grades of material, whereas the double flap arrangement of Fig. 1 is recommended for the more expensive grades.

The reverse of the flap arrangements of Figs. 1 and 5 would be to attach the flaps to the under rather than the upper face of the material 25, but this arrangement is so obvious as not to require illustration.

Fig.11 shows a single fabric flap, singly attached to the under face of the material 25.

Such flap is attached in such manner as to project, before folding, beyond the margin of the material 25. v

The reverse of this arrangement would be to attach such flap or flaps to the upper face of the material 25 but this obvious expedient has notbeen illustrated.

Fig. 12 shows a single fabric flap, doubly attached, either by gluing or stitching; With such a flap, the attachment is. at both the top and bottom face of the material 25, and where glued, to some extent also at the edge of the material, the foldable area of the flap being free and overlying the upper face of the material 25. The obvious reversal which has not been illustrated, is to have such free foldable area underlie the bottom face of the material.

Fig. 13 shows a double fabric flap, doubly attached, in which case the free foldable area of the flap extends outwardly in the general plane of the material 25.

Fig. 14 shows another arrangement of single fabric flap doubly attached, and Fig. 15 shows another arrangement of doubled fabric, doubly attached, the obvious reversals (not illustrated) being in each case to apply the flaps to the opposite face of the material 25 from that shown.

In the case of many of the flap arrangements shown, it is possible where desired to coat one area of the flap or flaps 26, as the area 26 with colored granules of the same color. as the body of the roofing material, or where a more striking effect is wanted, in some contrasting color. This is particularly effective when used with slate surfaced roofing, the seams after covering with the top flap being red, green or other color as used in roofings.

Where this practice is followed, cementing down .of the flap would be from the under side only, no cement being spread over the upper or exposed surface of the flap.

Preferably, although not necessarily, the material 25' is provided with end flaps 30 (Figs. 1,

4, 5 and 18) These are attached in any suitable manner to either the top or the bottom face of the material. In these figures the end flaps 30 are shown as attached to the bottom face. These flaps may be either of single or double thickness, and in general may be of the same type and have the same arrangement as the side flaps 26 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, and Figs. 11, 14 and 15.

Their function is to provide reinforcement at the end laps or seams. This is illustrated in Fig.

7 18 which is a longitudinal section through the end flaps 30 and shows these flaps bent over the end edges of the material 25 and cemented down over the nails 3| which fasten the course 25 to underlying or adjacent sheets or courses, which for convenience of designation are indicated by a separate reference characters 25 and 25 in said figure.

It will be noted that the end flaps 30 when bent over and cemented down into the position of Fig. 18 cover the nail heads and holes made by the nails, and also lap edges, and prevent drawing out of the nails and insure watertightness of the seam. As shown in Fig. 18 the protection is single protection, but as above-indicated double protection throughout can be obtained by having the end flaps of the same type as the side flaps illustrated in Figs. 1, 5, 11, 14

and 15. Inasmuch as the percentage of end laps in the roof area is small, however, and working less the single protection end flap 30 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 is'usually sufficient.

Such flap is entirely mam easy'to handle in the field, and fulfills all ordinary requirements.

side seam flaps 26 are considered preferable.-

.Obviously, the-system illustrated in Fig. .18 couldbe also used for side seams, although the" Preferably also, thoughqnot necessarily; the

v material26 is provided'at suitably spaced inter.-

the end fiaps30, or free plain ends where cut.

' vals transversely of its length with intermediate flaps 82(Fig's. 1 and 4). Thesemay be attached in any-suitable manner to either the top or bottom face of the material and are here shown as attached to the bottom face. The fiaps32 may Ordinarily, in laying roll roofing the best .prac-.- tice is to cut the material into not over fifteen 'feet lengths, which are generally laid on' the roof boards crosswise of the same and usually paralleling the ridge, in parallel overlapping courses; although in some instances the cut sheets are laid lengthwise of the roof boards and perpendi- ,cular to the ridge of roof.

My new type roll roofing is particularly suited for this practice in that the intermediate flaps roll of material for use-at the end lapswherever tion and prevents a separate after-operation:

32 are preferably attached to the material 25 at twelve foot intervals and consequently serveas convenient guides or markersin cutting up the web into such' lengths which have been found to be most practical to handle, and is universal as to direction laid; v

If the web is cut into shorter'lengths to suit end of course, such plain ends or such lengths may be conveniently used at eave or-roof ends where the flap 32 is not needed.

As an alternative, the'intermediate flaps 32 may separate from the material, in which case several of these flaps can be supplied with earth they occur, but attachmentto the roll at factory is preferred and in such way facilitates applica- Where the intermediate flaps 32 are'approxior foldable area is usually two and one half inches.

" Regardless of dimensions, the line of fold 33 (Fig.

f) affords a convenient guide line when the ma- "terial 25 is cut up into sheets or strips at these fiaps.

I resulting from the use of these several fiapsv and flap arrangements are illustrated in Figs. 3, 6,17,-

8, 9, 10,16, 17,18, 21, 21 and 24 to 26..

Referring to- Fig. 3, which is. a" sectionalized showing of. a conventional-roof structure covered 1 with the double-protection.materialjllustrated in Fig. 1, the overlapping upper and lower ;courses of roofing material 25 are indicated re spectively at 25 and 25 and the sheathing boards of the roof structure at 3.:

The reinforcedseam is shown in-exaggerated section for purposes of illustration and is achieved as follows:v The. free area 26* of the side flap 26.

on the lower course 25 is first turned vertically up against the outer edge of the overlapping up-..

per course 25 and-thence carried; horizontally done without regard to flaps as common prac- 5 ver the upper face of'the' attachingarea 26 of'the flap 26-carrieduby thejupper course 25, and nailed asjat 34. Thereafter; the cement is applied and the foldable portion 26 of the fiap I 26 carried by the upper course'25 is turned over the nail headsand over the underlying nailed-- down portion of the flap 26 on the lower course 25.and finally cemented inplace, as indicated atj35,'in Fig. '7.v a With this form therefore, the flaps 26 of the overlapping'courses are turnedover in reverse direction to each other to provide the doubly-reinforced'interlocking seam illustrated in these figures, said fiap orfiaps covering the nail holes.

in both -,the upper and lowercourses' and the heads of the nails (and nail caps if used)- being themselves covered by the uppermost fiap in either case. If desired, the foldable area 26 of the fiap of the lower course 25 may also be cemented after nailing, as in Fig. 7.

'gerated section in Fig. 6 provides single'protection.

- In this figure the lower courseonly is provided I .with-'the reinforcing flap 26. The overlapping edge of the upper course is shown as having been nailedias at 34 through the attaching area'26 of the flap and the underlying edge of the lower course, and the foldable'area 26 ofsuch fiap is shown ashaving been turned-over the upper edge of saidupper course and cemented in place, thus covering the nail heads and the nail holes made by the nails. I J Fig. 7 shows in=exaggerated section. another method ofapplying the cement 366 to the reinforced seam shown in Fig. 3. In this figure, the cement 350 is shown asbeing applied in between the interlqcking fiaps .as well as over them. -If the cement 'is so distributed, theseam is nailed before either flap is turned. Where the cement I is applied over the'up'per flap andnails only, as

in Fig. 3, only one operation of cementing is nec essary, but as in Fig.1, all nailing can first be tice, then fiaps turnedand cemented thereafter. In Fig. -8, still another form of seam reinforcement is illustrated. In this-figure, .the flap 26 is shown as attached to both faces of the course 25,and folded over the course 25 at lap.

In Fig. 9, such fiap is shown as attached to the upper face or the course 25 and folded over on itself after nailing, also covering seam edge.

In Fig. 10, such flap is also shown-as attachedto the upper face of the course 25 but'is laid over and -cemented down over the nails in slightnails, and is similar .to after-stripp n 8.8a sep-'- arate operation. 1

abutted rather than overlapped and each course is individually nailed as at 35 and 36. The nails 36 pass through attaching area 26 of the flap 25 65* on course 25. and the foldable areae26 of said Fig. 17 shows another form of double protec- 7 tion' seem reinforcement. As in Fig: 16, the courses are abutted rather than overlapped and are individually nailed as at3l and 38.. Each course has an attached flap 26 and the 'foldable areas 26 of these. are .bent in reversezdirec 20' The seam reinforcement illustrated "in exagly different manner from the manner shown, in

. Fig. 9, which does not offer reinforcement but pro- ,vides watertightness and prevents working out of Fig. 16 shows another form of single protection v seam reinforcement wherein the courses are -1" surfacing material of rigid type.

double nailing. This results in a substantially" fiush or fiat roof surface which in some instances" is highly desirable, as in almost fiat roofs with bent as shown in Fig. 24' when making a lap slight pitch. e

Inboth of these figures, it will be noted that the nails and nail holes of both sets of nails are covered by the overlaying flap or flaps. In Fig. 16

' where only a single fiap is shown, the covering'is of single thickness. InFig. 17, where two flaps are employed, the covering is of double thickness.

Fig. 18 'has been previously described. This figure shows the seam reinforcement at end laps afforded by the end flaps 30. i In Figs. 20 to 23 inclusive I have illustrated the application of my invention to the rooflng or Figs. 20 and 21 show a corrugated sheet 33' of metal, composition, or the like having a flexible side flap 34' foldably attached to one longitudinal edge thereof, As shown, such flap, 34' is at-' ly designed and positioned with respect to' the sheet edge, according to the requirements-of the particular installation, or as preferred for universal use.

When such flap 34', however designed and positioned is turned over and cemented down at the lap or joint with an adjacent sheet, as shown in Fig. 21, the resultant seam is thereby made permanently watertight and secure against wind- 1 Figs. 22 and 23 show a pressed sheet 35' of metal, composition or the like, such as is used for roofing, siding, or sheathing. Such sheet has attachedto one longitudinal-edge thereof a flexible flap 36' similar to the flap 34' in Figs. 20 and 21. As with the flap 34', the flap 36' may be variously designed and variously positioned with respect to the sheet edge, whereby to provide a permanent sea m when turned over and cemented down at the lap or'joint with an adjacent sheet, as shown inFig. 23. j -j Figs. 24 and 25 show adaptations for metal fabric-backed sheets and the like. Theseare designated at 31 and 31 and may be consideredas thin, flexible-sheets of copper or other metal which may also be backed with asphalt saturated 'or other fabric so firmly attached thereto as to be practically integral therewith. 'The flap 26 is preferably 'of the same material as the sheets, viz.

a flexible metallic fabric-backed ,flap, attached at one longitudinal margin only ofthe roll in the position of and substantially as in Fig. 1. The flap 26' is positively attached to the ,roll' at the factory in any] suitable manner. Being flexible its foldable area 26 is readily bent over after the overlapping courses 31' and 31 have been nailed, as at 38 in Fig. 24, to cover the nail heads,

and the free end of said foldable area 26 is then the attachmentof-said flap to the roll at the factoryhas been a positive and watertight con- 4 nection.

In Fig. 25, the flap 26 is shown as formed in- I tegrally with the fabric-backed metallic roofing.

indicated generally at C. In this form the roofing material C is flanged over upon itself to form the-foldable flap. This flap is nailed and joint or seam.

In Fig. 26 I illustrate amethod whereby the free edge of the flap 26 may be positively anchored down upon the underlying 'strake after it has been nailed and folded over.

In said figure the overlapping courses are in dicated at 39 and 39 respectively, and the attaching area.26 of the flap is indicated as having been positively fastened at the factory to the longitudinaledge of the rollfrom which the cated at 40, after which its foldable area 26 is v overfolded as shown,

Instead of having its free edge inserted between the overlapping courses, as in Fig, 24; however, the free' ;edge of said flap is inserted into'the channel flange 4| of an anchoring flap .42 fastened to the upper face of the underlying'cou'rse 39, and so bent over and hammered down on job.

Preferably the flange 4| is provided with one or more V-cups 43 to permit water to drain out, if cement is notused at the interlock, or drain 4 holes 4! may be'used.

This construction provides an interfitting or interlocking assembly which renders the use of cement unnecessary although cementing may be employed for. greater security and watertightness, if desired. I 4

Although the courses and fiaps of Figs. 24, 25

and '26 have been described as being both made of the same material, viz. a fabric-backed sheet of metallic type, it is obvious that this particular type of flap material maybe used with roll roofing made-of other materials.

' Similarly,'the flap itself may be of Qther ma terials, or when of flexible metal, as copper, the

fabric backing thereof may be omitted. Such flap may also be variously attached, as for instance, in the manner shown in such figures as Figs. 8 to 15 inclusive.

These and various other modifications inthe construction and operation of my device may be obviously resorted to if within the spirit and scope of my invention without departing from the each course, the outer marginal portion of each strip being fastened to its related course, the into secure 'ner marginal portion of each strip being free and constituting a flap, the flap of the strip of one course being turned outwardly into overlying relationship to the outer marginal portion' of the strip of the other course the flap of the strip of the other course being turned outwardly into overlying relationship to the fiap of the stripof the first metioned course, and means fastening the flaps together.

2. In roofing, adjacent roofing courses, a flexible' strip extending along the adjacent edge of each course, each strip having its outer marginal portion fastened to its related course and its inner marginal portion free and constituting a flap, the flap of the strip of one course being turned outwardly into overlying relationship to the marginal portion of the other course, the flap of the strip: of the last mentioned course being turned outwardly into overlying relationship to the flap of the strip of the first mentioned course, and means fastening the flaps together.

3. In roofing, adjacent roofing courses, a flexible strip extending along the adjacent edge of each course, the outer marginal portion of each strip being fastened to its related course, the inner marginal portion of each strip being free and constituting a flap, the marginal portion of one course being disposed in overlying relationship to the outer marginal portion of the strip of the other course and also in overlying relationship to the marginal portion of the other course, the fiap of the strip of the second mentloned course being turned outwardly into overlying relationship to the outer'marginal portion of the strip of the first mentioned course and. also in overlying relationship to the marginal portion of the first mentioned course, the flap of the strip of the first mentioned course being turned outwardly into overlying relationship to the flap of the strip of the second mentioned course and also into overlying relationship to the marginal portions of both courses, and means fastening the flaps of the respective strips together.

4. In roofing as set forth in claim 3, nails extending through the superimposed marginal portions of the courses and the outer marginal portions of the strips to fasten the courses upon the roof, the superimposed flaps of the respective courses overlying and protectively covering the nail heads.

5. In roofing as set forth in claim 2, means independent of the flaps of the respective strips fastening the courses to the roof, the superimposed flaps overlying and protectively covering said fastening means.

6. In roofing, adjacent roofing courses, a flexible strip extending along the adjacent edge of each course, each strip having the outer marginal portion thereof fastened to its related course and its inner marginal portion free and constituting a flap which is substantially equal in width to the width of its related attached marginal portion, the flaps of the respective strips being turned outwardly along fold lines located substantially windway between the side edges of the strips and being disposed in superimposed relationship and fastened together in overlying relationship to the marginal portions of the respective courses with the free edges of the flaps terminating substantially at the lines of fold of the respective flaps.

7. In roofing, adjacent roofing courses having their adjacent marginal portions disposed in superimposed relationship, a flexible strip extending along the marginal'portion of each course, each strip having its outer marginal portion fastened to its related course and its inner marginal portion free and constituting a flap, the flaps of the respective strips being turned outwardly into superimposed relationship and being fastened together in overlying relationship to the superimposed marginal portions of the courses.

8. In roofing, adjacent roofing courses, 2, flexible strip extending along the adjacent edge of each course, the outer marginal portion of each strip being fastened to its related course with its outer edge substantially flush with the outer edge of its related course, the inner marginal portion of each strip being free and constituting a flap, the marginal portion of one course being disposed in overlapping relationship to the marginal portion of the other course through an area approximating in width the width of the fastened marginal portions of of the strips, the flap of the strip of one course being turned outwardly into overlying relationship to the marginal portion of the other course, the flap of the strip of the other course being turned outwardly into overlying relationship to the fiap of the strip of the first-mentioned course, the flaps of the respective strips being approximately equal in width to the fastened marginal portions of the strips so that the underlying fiap need not be turned upon itself to permit the overlying flap to be turned thereover, course fasteners extending through the superimposed marginal portions of the courses and the outer marginal portions of the strips, and means fastening the flaps together in overlying and protective coveringrelationship to said fasteners.

9. A roll of roofing material to be cut into course sections, said roll of material having a plurality of strips extending transversely across one face thereof at intervals spaced along the length of the roll corresponding to the shortest length course section to be out, each strip having one marginal portion thereof fastened to the material of the roll and the remaining marginal portion thereof free and constituting a flap, the strips serving as guides for cutting the roll of material into course sections and the flap of the strip at the place where the course is out being designed for use to provide a protective covering for a seam formed between the cut end of the course and another course.

10. A course of roofing material having a pair of flexible strips extending along the longitudinal edges thereof, the outer marginal portion of each strip being attached to said course and the inner marginal portion of each strip being free and constituting a foldable flap, each of said flaps being substantially equal in width to the width of its attached marginal portion so that when said course is brought into overlapping joint-forming relationship with another course having a similarly proportioned flap-strip and flap on its adjacent longitudinal edge the fiap of one course is adapted to be turned outwardly into overlying relationship to the attached marginal portion of the strip of the other course and the flap of the strip of said other course is adapted to be turned outwardly into overlying relationship to said overfolded flap with the free edges of the overfolded joint-forming flaps terminating substantially at the lines of fold of the respective flaps.

11. A roll of roofing material as claimed in claim 10 to be cut into course sections wherein the roll of material additionally is provided with a plurality of strips extending transversely across one face thereof at intervals spaced along the length of the roll corresponding to the shortest length course section to be out, each strip having one marginal portion thereof fastened to the material of the roll and the remaining marginal portionthereof free and constituting a flap, the strips serving as guides for cutting the .roll of material into course sections and the flap of the strip at the place where the course is out being designed for use to provide a protective covering for a seam formed between the cut end of the course and another course.

SIDNEY LANIER EASON.

Patent No. 2,003,503 Granted June 4, 1935 SIDNEY LANIER EASON The above entitled patent was extended February 26, 1952, under the provisions of the act of June 30, 1950, for 6 years and 57 days from the expiration of the original term thereof.

Gammissz'oner of Patents. 

